Arsenal 2 – 2 Manchester City
It was a match between two great teams in the EPL, both of who have an excellent chance of winning the league this season. While Man City are the defending champions, Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager has every reason to believe that this season might be Arsenal’s best in years. Arsenal has been bolstered significantly by the signing of Danny Welbeck and the Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez. Yet, it was Manchester City that had the first goal, a typical Sergio Aguero clinical finish which has become such a regular routine for them. But Arsenal were always in the hunt and it wasn’t long after the start of the second half that their best player of the day, Jack Wilshere finished a brilliant run with a delicate touch beyond Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Arsenal were back in the hunt and just minutes later, Alexis Sanchez scored a screamer, picking up the ball from air and sending in a hard volley that gave Joe Hart no chance whatsoever. At this point Arsene Wenger would have been quite confident of a win, only to see Man City defender Martin Demichelis snatch an equalizer late in the match to make it 2-2. That’s how it remained as a late goal by Samir Nasri was disallowed for off side.
Man City coach Manuel Pelligrini was highly critical of the referee:
“The referee didn’t want to whistle. There was clearly a foul. Welbeck pushed Kompany, he didn’t have any intention to play the ball. Arsenal scored both goals with fouls. But I’m very happy the way our team played, we are very happy with the draw. We had more possession and more attempts to score goals, so I’m very happy with my team. On a normal day we have to win this game.”
Arsene Wenger was full of praise for Wilshere and Sanchez.
“It was a game of top quality between two very good teams, played at tremendous pace. These were two players who had a very good game today, Sanchez and Wilshere were rewarded for that performance.
Liverpool 0 – 1 Aston Villa
Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa continued their dream run at Anfield, beating Liverpool yet again. The win also means that Aston Villa now have 10 points from just 4 matches, their best start to the EPL season for years. Paul Lambert has Roy Keane as his assistant coach, and there is no doubting that the Aston Villa management has brought out the best from the players. The goal for Villa came from Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the goal only the 9th minute from a corner. Aston Villa never really looked to be in trouble in spite of having just a one goal advantage. A new look Liverpool side with Mario Balotelli up front, with Coutinho just behind, and new player Adam Lallana at the wings, tried hard to impress, but were ineffective.
Paul Lambert: “We showed no fear. It was a fantastic performance and result. Tactically, we were spot-on, the lads have grasped what we have been working on in training. Not that they are really lads any more. Our young players have grown into men.”
Sunderland 2 – 2 Tottenham Hotspur
In an exciting match between two of the best young managers in the EPL, it was all level between Gus Poyet’s Sunderland and Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur. Both coaches believe in possession football, but it was Tottenham that had much of the possession with Christian Eriksen really dominating the match throughout. The goals came thick and fast – Tottenham’s Nacer Chadli’s 2nd minute goal was quickly answered by Adam Johnson’s brilliant run through the heart of the Tottenham defence. It was all level at half-time, till Eriksen had a goal to show for all his dominance, sneaking one past the Sunderland defence in the 48th minute. It was later in the second half that Poyet’s men got an equalizer through a bad mistake by Tottenham’s Harry Kane. That was how the match ended and
Poyet could consider himself the happier of the two managers. “I’m really, really pleased,” Poyet said. “Spurs are by the far the best team we’ve played. It was a really hard point.”
Southampton 4 – 0 Newcastle United
Newcastle United are perhaps the worst performing team in the EPL, who have won only 5 points of a possible 36 since last season. And there is no doubting that Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is the most hated manager in the entire league, with an overwhelming majority of his own fans wanting him out, carrying banners such as “Pardew Out!” There is even a website, www.sackalanpardew.com. But manager Mike Ashley has never been one to follow public opinion and has so far stood strongly besides his manager. However, Newcastle’s decimation at the hands of Ronald Koeman’s Southampton could possibly make Pardew’s position as the Newcastle manager untenable. Southampton completely dominated a one sided match, with goals from Jack Cork, Morgan Schneiderlein and a couple by the, strong and powerful centre forward Graziano Pelle.
Pardew was remarkable cool after the defeat, saying “Unless someone tells me otherwise, I’ll continue to prepare the team.”
Chelsea 4 – 2 Swansea City
Jose Mourinho’s side has performed so brilliantly this season that the constant shouts of “Boring, boring Chelsea” will probably be silenced in the near term future. Chelsea have scored tons of goals, many more than any other side in the EPL, 6 in their last match against Everton, 4 today, and have bagged a 100% record, 12 points from 4 matches. This is quite easily their best start ever to an EPL season and they certainly look the favourites to win the whole thing. But if there is one player Mourinho values more than any other, that would be the sensational Brazilian born Spanish striker Diego Costa. In one word, Costa has been sensational, scoring in every match so far in the league, a total of 7 in all. This match was his best so far as he effortlessly scored 3 goals. Typically, Costa gets his goals because he is fast and strong, and has the knack for being in the right place at the right time. He also has the benefit of getting great service from the likes of Cesc Fabregas – who now has six assists for a goal in only four matches so far.
The high flying Swansea had no answer to Chelsea’s dominant display. Manager Garry Monk was effusive in his praise of Chelsea. “You saw the power and quality Chelsea have in that second half,” Monk said. “I think they’ll be champions.”
“We made changes and were too strong for them in the end,” said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. “We changed everything at half-time and, with the intensity we showed in that second half, they could not compete. We could give to the stadium what the crowd were waiting for: a win secured in a beautiful way.”
West Bromwich Albion 0 – 2 Everton
Everton have come close to winning a match this season on two occasions, only to miss out with just a point each. This match saw Roberto Martinez in slight pressure perhaps for the first time in his so far short but brilliant career as Everton manager. But Martinez wasn’t to be disappointed as his main player, centre forward Romelu Lulaku did what was expected of him – score goals – taking advantage of a defensive error by the West Brom defence. Lukaku’s fellow Belgian Kevin Mirallas doubled the lead soon enough and Everton never really looked in any trouble.
West Brom manager Alan Irvine: “You’re talking about two international players – two proven Premier League players – and they don’t normally make those kind of mistakes. For us to make one, let alone two in the same game, is unusual. The lads are devastated with the goals, but mistakes happen. We just have to accept them and move on.”
Asked about the fans’ reaction at the end, he said: “I understand it. We’re all frustrated, we all came here today hoping that we were going to get a really good performance and a really good result, so I can understand the fans being frustrated and disappointed – because it’s how I feel as well and it’s how the players feel. They know that for a fair part of that game they were playing well, and they know that individual errors have cost them.”
Stoke City 0 – 1 Leicester City
The match between the two teams fighting to stave off relegation was headed for a stalemate until Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson threw in a player of great experience at the highest level, Esteban Cambiasso, their transfer window signing from Inter Milan. The Argentine star immediately had an impact, controlling the game at the middle of the field, giving his team that extra quality. The goal came soon enough with Leonardo Ulloa getting his third of the season.
Leicester City Manager Nigel Pearson was full of praise for his new player, Esteban Cambiasso. “We didn’t feel we played with the same sort of control we have in our other games so far this season. The changes at half-time certainly allowed us to get a little bit more control. We changed the shape and a couple of personnel, which allowed us to get back into the game.
“His [Cambiasso’s] game management is exceptional. He’s not had the success he’s had over his career without showing qualities, not just with the ball but in terms of his organisational skills. .
“He was a very important influence on the game in the second half. But we functioned better as a team as well.
“There were a lot of goalmouth incidents in the game and at times we had to, not ride our luck but defend with a lot of commitment. It wasn’t an easy game by any stretch of the imagination.
“I think 45 minutes for him [Cambiasso] was probably about right in terms of an introduction to English football and I’m pleased that he’s played his part in what is a very important win for us.”
Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Burnley
It was the worst match of the weekend, in which neither side looked good enough to win, and neither showed that they were good enough for the English Premier League. But if there can be positive in this, Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last couple of matches and salvaged their season somewhat from being a total disaster. Still, Neil Warnock’s side know that they have a great battle ahead of them to stave off relegation. Burnley too would be delighted beyond belief if they manage to avoid relegation by the end of the season.
